LHC may form larger bench to hear Malik Ishaq’s bail petition

LAHORE - Justice Mahmood Maqbool Bajwa of the Lahore High Court on Monday requested the Chief Justice to constitute a division bench to hear a bail petition of Malik Ishaq, a leader of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat (formerly Lashkar-e-Jhangvi). The judge observed that the matter should be heard by a two-member bench since the FIRs registered against the petitioner contained sections of Anti Terrorism Act. The judge referred the petition to the CJ and adjourned hearing. Earlier, the counsel for Ishaq argued that two cases registered by Bhakkar police against his client were based on political victimisation. He said that the police registered the cases without any concrete evidence and also inserted sections of anti terrorism act. He prayed to the court to release the accused on bail.As per the FIRs, Ishaq delivered provoking speeches on Aug 8, 2012 and Feb 2, 2013 at religious gatherings. He was accused of spreading hatred and creating unrest in the area.